heide



Jan.-24, 1956 s. M. HEIDE 2,732,210

` RACING GAME APPARATUS Filed June 9. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan- 24, 1956 s. M. HEIDE RACING GAME APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9. 1952 e Rama mk m mi; @MM m n a Aww@ Jan. 24, 1956 s. M. HEIDE RACING GAME APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 9. 1952 e t me R @am mM A s W M 0 a Q B United States Patent Of ice 2,732,210 Patented Jan. 24, 1956 RACING GAME APPARATUS Stanford M. Heide, Kenosha, Wis., assgnor to Chicago spin Machine Co., Chicago, lll., a corporation of mois Application June 9, 1952, Serial No. 292,473

2 Claims. (Cl. 273-86) This invention relates to a racing game apparatus comprising a plurality of game units whereby to enable the game apparatus to be played by one or more players.

The object of the invention is to provide in such amusement game apparatus a plurality of objects such as race horses, automobiles or the like, which are adapted to be intermittently advanced from a starting to a nish position by the actuation of electrical apparatuses arranged in an electric circuit controlled by switches arranged in ball lanes or runways to be closed by the action of a moving ball.

Another object of such invention is to provide at the ball seat of a ball ramp an electric switch which controls the energization of a circuit hereinafter referred to as a sprint circuit, for intermittently advancing a horse or horses whenever such circuit is energized by actuation of a sprint motor plus the positioning of a ball on such ball switch.

In addition to the foregoing, it is also an object of this invention to provide a circuit for registering the results of the movement of the horses as and when the horse or horses arrive at the finish line.

Yet a further and equally important object of the invention is to provide an amusement game apparatus which, while constructed and designed for play by more than one player, is provided with a novel and simple arrangement whereby the game apparatus may be played by one player on the same basis as though the game was being played by more than one player.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of one of the game units;

Fig. 4 is a part sectional detail view of the horse moving means;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of Fig. 4.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l and 2, my improved game apparatus comprises a main cabinet 10 mounted upon a suitable support 11. This cabinet 10 is provided with a game board 12 arranged beneath a transparent top wall 13. This game board is divided into a plurality of game units 14. Each game unit comprises a ball ramp 15 through which a ball is projected by a conventional ball projector 16 to the upper end of the game board 12 for gravitation theredown through any one of a plurality of ball lanes 17, 17a, 17b, and 17c. Each game unit further includes a bumper 18 against which the projected balls are adapted to strike and be deflected for movement into one ,of such lanes. The

game board 12 of each gameunit 14 has a tapered wall 19 against which the ball strikes and is directed to the ball seat 20 just forward of the ball projector 16.

Arranged in each of the lanes of each game unit 14 are ball roll-over switches over which the projected ball is adapted to roll on its return to the ball seat 20. The switches indicated at 22 are connected in a circuit which controls the intermittent movement of a plurality of horses 23 or other objects, such as sulkies, automobiles, or the like.

The switches indicated at 22 (Fig. 3) are connected in a circuit for controlling a plurality of switches incorporated in a sprint circuit. The switches indicated at 17 are connected to a motor-controlled sprint circuit.

These various circuits will be presently described.

Each of the horses 23 is mounted upon a post 24 in turn xedly inserted in a socket 25 secured to one end of a flexible belt 26. This belt is preferably of flat spring stock and is confined for movement between spaced panels 27 and 28, the panel 2S constituting the iloor of a cabinet 29 mounted upon a top wall 30 of the cabinet 10. The panel 27 is provided with parallel slots 31 through which the posts 24 project. The opposite end portion of each of the belts 245 is attached to a drum 32 mounted for rotation upon a shaft 33. On this shaft 33 is mounted a ratchet wheel 34. This ratchet wheel 34 is advanced step-by-step by means of a stepping pawl 35 actuated by a step-up coil 41. The ratchet wheel 34 is held against rotation, by the action of a spring 37, by means of a latch pawl 38. This latch pawl 38, while normally in engagement with the ratchet wheel 34, is moved from such engagement by the action of a releasing coil 39, to permit the ratchet wheel 34 to return to zero position by the action of the spring 37. The latching pawl and step-up pawl 35 are interconnected in a manner well-known in the art, whereby when the latching pawl 38 is released, it acts upon the step-up pawl 35 to disengage such step-up pawl from the ratchet wheel 34 to permit the return of the ratchet wheel to zero position. Such an arrangement is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,281,262.

Fig. 3 illustrates the electric circuit for each of the game units. As a preface to the description of this circuit, I wish to point out that while l have heretofore described and illustrated in the drawings an amusement game apparatus comprising a plurality of game units, designated at 14, to enable the game apparatus to be played on a competitive basis by a plurality of players, it is clearly manifest that the game apparatus may comprise but a single game unit to be played by a single player.

Each of the game units comprises an electric circuit of the same arrangement for advancing the horses and for returning them to a starting position.

When the game apparatus comprises a plurality of game units, these circuits are arranged in a manner such as to be operated upon the playing of any one or more of the units simultaneously. This arrangement is controlled by what is hereafter referred to as the player switch. For convenience, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings of this application but one of such circuits. This circuit will now be described in detail.

It is, of course, obvious that at the start of a game, whether a single game unit or a plurality of game units, the horses should all be positioned at their starting line or position. This may be accomplished by releasing the various drums 32 to which the horsecarrying belts 25 are attached, thus returning the horses to starting position. As the circuit illustrated in Fig, 3 is described, it will be readily seen how this action takes place.

The horse 23 of each game unit 14 is advanced stepby-step along the simulated track 31. Each horse is advanced by energization of its respective step-up coil 41. The circuit to such coil 41 is established in the following manner:

A starting switch 42 is closed by operation of a push button 43 located on the front wall of the cabinet 10. The closing of this starting switch 42 establishes a circuit to the starting relay coil 44. The circuit to the starting relay coil 44 is established from one side 85 of the power source through a normally closed switch 45, through a conductor 46, through the starting switch 42, conductor 47, through coil 44, conductor 48, to a normally closed game-over switch 49, and from thence to the other side 85' of the power source through a conductor When the coil 44 is energized, a normally open switch 51 is closed and serves as a holding switch to maintain the coil 44 energized until such time as the switch 49 is opened by energization of a game-over coil 52.

One side or the switch 51 by a conductor 53 is connected to a contact plate 54 of a player switch 55. This player switch 55 includes a plurality of contacts 56 adapted to be engaged by wiper ingers 57 which engage the contact plate S4. The contacts 56 are each connected to a game unit 14. The wiper lingers 57 are advanced by an advancing coil 57' in circuit with a switch 67 adapted to be closed simultaneously with switch 77 upon energization of a coin relay coil 68 hereinafter referred to. The wiper linger 57 is returned to starting position by a retainer coil 56 in circuit with a switch Si) hereinafter referred to.

I have shown the irst of these contacts, indicated at 58, in circuit with the switches 22 of one of the game units 14. This is accomplished through conductors 59 connected to corresponding sides of the switches 22. rl'he opposite sides of these switches 22 by conductors 60 and 61 are connected to one side of step-up coil 41. The other side of this step-up coil 41 by conductors 62 is connected to the other side 85 of the power source through conductor 48, normally closed game-over switch 49, and conductor 50.

This arrangement is such that when a ball passes over any one or more of the switches 22 while gravitating through the ball lane in which such switches are located, the closing of such switch or switches completes the circuit to the step-up coil 41 to advance the horse. This operation continues until one of the horses reaches the nish line. The registering of the advancement of the horses is achieved by the step-up unit 63 which has a rotatable wheel similar to the scoring indicia wheel of Patent 2,281,262 and which unit includes a step-up coil 64 and a release coil 65. The step-up coil 64 is connected in series with the step-up coil 41 so that each time a horse is advanced one step, such advancement will be registered.

The horses are reset or returned to their respective starting positions upon the commencement of a new game. ln the present instance, the game is coincontrolled. Such an arrangement includes a coin-actuated switch 66, one side of which is connected to one side 85 of the power source. The other side of the coin-actuated switch 66 is connected to one side of a normally closed switch 67 of the coin relay coil 68. The other side of this switch 67 by a conductor 69 is connected to one side of a reset coil 70, the other side of this coil by a conductor 71 being connected to a normally open switch 72 having one side thereof connected to the other side S5' of the power source. This switch 72 is adapted to be closed when the horses take the lirst step away from the starting line, the switch 72 being held open by a depending arm 72 carried by each horse.

When the reset coil 70 is energized, switches 73 and 73 will be closed and switch 74 opened. The switch 73' is a circuit holding switch and when closed by the energization of the coil 70, it maintains a circuit to such coil. One side of the switch 73, as well as one side of the switch 73', is connected to one side 85 of the power source. They other side of the switch 73 by a conductor 76 is connected to one side of a circuit holding switch 77 which, when closed, maintains the circuit to the coil 68. One side of this coil 68 by a conductor 78 is connected to a normally closed switch 79 which, like the switch 72, is controlled by the depending arm of the horse, and which switch 79 opens upon the rst advancement of such horse. The energization of the coil 7l) also closes an otherwise normally open switch 89, one side of which by a conductor 31 is connected to one side of a release coil 39 of the step-up 34. When this release coil 39 is energized, the drum 32 of such step-up unit 34 is released for rotation to zero or starting position under action of its spring 37. To complete the circuit to this coil 39, the other side thereof by a conductor 83 is connected to the other side of the power source through the conductor 62, the switch 49, and conductor 50.

The arrangement is such that when the coin switch 66 is closed, a circuit will be completed to the release coil 39, thereby to release the drum 32 for rotation to zero or starting position, and in turn to return its respective horse to starting position with respect to the simulated track 31.

When the game is started, a bell control switch 84 will be closed simultaneously with the closing of the starting switch 42, to complete a circuit to a bell 86. The circuit to this bell 86, starting from the one side 85 of the power source, is through the normally closed switch 45, conductor 46, through the switch 84, conductor 87, to one side of the bell 86, and thence from the other side of the bell 86 through a conductor 88 to a normally closed switch 89, the other side of which is connected to the other side 85 of the power source. The opening and closing of this switch 89 is controlled by a coil 90, one side of which is connected by a conductor 91 to the other side 85 of the power source. The other side of' this coil by a conductor 92 is connected to one side of a normally open game-over switch 93, theV opposite side of which switch is connected to the one side 85 of the power source.

The arrangement is such that as the switch 84 is momentarily closed, the bell 86 will be energized. When the game is over by reason of a horse reaching the finish line, the switch 93 will be closed by engagement with a depending arm 72 carriedl by the horse. The closing of this switch 93 will energize the bell 86 at the same time that it energizes the coil 90, to open the switch 89 and thus interrupt the circuit to the bell 86. The switches 49 and 93 are opened and closed, respectively, by energization of the game-over coil 52. A circuit to this coil is from the other side 85 of the power source to the one side of the power source 8S, through a conductor 94 and a normally open switch 95, which switch 95 s closed by the depending arm 72 of the horse as the horse reaches the nish line. Connected in series with this switch 95 is a normally open switch 96, which is also closed in a like manner and controls a winner score registering lamp 97 having one side connected to the other side 85 of the power source. By this arrangement, when a horse reaches the finish line, the depending arm 72 thereof will close the switch 96 to energize the lamp 97 to indicate a winner.

As previously pointed` out, a single player may play the game by selecting as his horse one of the four horses and then proceed to play the game as though he were playing with competitive players. The coin switch 66 energizes each game unit 14 and all the horses thereof. The single player upon rotating this switch 66 proceeds to pick out one of the game units 14 as his own and then proceeds to play all the game units in turn. Thus the player playing the whole game has designated one horse as his and competes with himself and other horses of the game units 14. In order not to permit the horse of the players choice to constantly win, I have incorpo- Y rated a method whereby each horse may be given a bonus sprint so as to win the race. This bonus sprint is beyond the control of the player.

To accomplish this, I have incorporated in the circuit an arrangement for advancing the horse of the game unit selected by the single player to be played. This circuit I refer topreferably as .a sprint circuit, in that, as will be apparent, the horses will be caused to advance step-by-step in competition with each other. This is accomplished in the following manner:

In the projecting ramp of each game unit 14 is arranged a normally open ball roll-over switch 98 which is closed by the weight of a ball thereon. When the ball is projected by the plunger 16 upwardly through the inclined ramp 15, the switch 98 will be opened.

The sprint circuit to be presently described, and as hereinbefore indicated, is eiective to advance a horse each time a wiper arm 105 engages a contact 107. This wiper arm is advanced by an advancing coil 105' similar to the coil 41 and arranged in a step-up 34.

The circuit to this coil is from one side 85 of the power source through switch 51, conductor 53, through switch 98 (when closed by the weight of a ball thereon), wiper arm 100, when engaging contact 101', through conductor 100', coil 105', to the other side of the power source 85.

The wiper arm 100 is actuated by a motor 99. This motor is energized only when the ball switch 98 is closed by the weight of a ball thereon. The circuit to such motor is from one side of the power source 85, through switch 51, conductor 53, switch 98, conductor 98', through motor 99, to the other side of the power source 85'. The circuit through the wiper arm 100 and contact 101' is completed only when switches 102, 103 and 104 are closed. Switches 102 to 104 inclusive are in parallel through conductors 59 and 60 with the switches 22. The switches 102 through 104 inclusive are closed upon energization of a relay coil 102. The circuit for this coil 102' is from the side of the power source 85 through switch 51, conductor 53, player switch 55, conductor 59, switches 22', conductor 60', coil 64, conductors 62 and 48, switch 49, to the other side 85' of the power source through conductor 50.

The motor 108 is initially energized upon the closing of switch 112. This switch is closed by a relay coil 113. The circuit to this coil 113 is from the side 85' of the power source through coil 113, conductor 113', through switch 17', conductor 114', to the side 85 of the power source.

The switch 112 is a holding switch to maintain energization of the coil 113 until the cam 108' driven by the motor 108 has completed one revolution. This switch 112 is closed simultaneously with the closing of the switch 111. The circuit to relay coil 113 through the switch 112 is from the side 85' of the power source through the coil 113, switch 112, conductor 115', to the side 85 of the power source. The circuit to relay coil 113 is maintained through one revolution of the cam 108', driven by the motor 108.

Such motor also drives a wiper arm 114, and as this wiper arm 114 successively engages the contacts 116', a horse 23 will be advanced. The circuit to the horseadvancing coil 41, under the above conditions, is from the side 85 of the power source through the arm 114, when in contact with one of the contacts 116', switch 111 (which has been closed by energization of the relay coil 113), conductors 117' and 61, through coil 41, conductors 62 and 48, through switch 49 to the other side 85' of the power source through conductor 50. Closing of the switch 118 will energize the light 116.

After initial movement of the cam 108', the circuit to the motor 108 is from the side 85 of the power source, through conductor 119', switch 112, and relay coil 113, to the side 85 of the power source.

A ball rolling down, say, for example, the ball lane 17a, will close the switches 22, 22' and 17' in such lane. Closing of the switch 22 will directly energize the advancing coil 41 to advance a horse 23 one step. The

closing of the switches 22' energizes the score step-up unit 63. The closing of the switches 17 conditions the sprint circuit for energization if the wiper arm 105 thereof is on the contact 107, at which time the motor 108 is energized through the circuit hereinbefore set forth and, through the normally closed switch 109, sets up a circuit through switch 17' in the ball lane 17a. The circuit through the switch 109 is deenergized by the energization of the relay coil 110 which, when energized, closes switch 109', thereby to maintain the coil 110 energized through the switch 74 as long as that switch is closed.

In summary, a ball closing any of the switches 22 will elect direct energization of the advancing coil 41 to advance a horse one step. A ball closing any of the switches 22' will effect energization of the coil 41 provided that the wiper arm is in contact with one of the contacts 101 and the switches 102 to 104 inclusive closed, as well as the switch 98. A ball closing any one of the switches 17' will energize the sprint circuit motor 108 and, if the wiper arm is in contact with the point 107 when the arm 114 is in contact with one of the contacts 116', the advancing coil 41 will be energized to advance the horse as long as the arm 105 remains on the contact 107.

l have by the foregoing provided an amusement game apparatus in which the game may be played competitively by a single player or by a number of players. The arrangement aiords the maximum degree of amusement.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into eli'ect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. l, therefore, do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail mysel'r` of such variations and modications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A game apparatus which may be played by a single player or by a plurality of players, comprising a plurality of horses each carried at one end of a movable element and movable from a starting position in horizontal planes parallel with respect to each other to a tinish position in said planes, electrically actuated means for advancing said movable elements and said horses step by step in said planes, an operating circuit for said electrically actuated means including ball-actuated switches and a starting switch, a circuit having a coin-actuated switch therein for conditioning said operating circuit for operation, means actuated by certain of said ball-actuated switches cooperating with the remaining switches of said operating circuit for conditioning a sprint circuit for energizing said electrically actuated advancing means independently of said operating circuit, a reset coil in said operating circuit for returning said horses to a starting position in said planes, said reset coil being in circuit with a holding switch and energized by said coin actuated switch for returning said horses to a starting position, said circuit holding switch and said reset coil deenergized by an arm carried by each of said horses when said horses return to said starting position, and means at the finish position in said planes and coupled with said operating circuit for deenergizing said operating circuit when one of said horses reaches said finish position by the actuation of said operating circuit or said sprint circuit, said last-named means including a normally open switch adjacent to said iinish position in said planes so as to be closed by said arm carried by the first of said horses to reach said finish position.

2. A game apparatus which may be played by a single player or by a plurality of players, comprising a plurality of horses each carried at one end of a movable element and movable from a starting position in horizontal planes parallel with respect to each other to a finish position in said planes, electrically actuated meansy for advancing said movable elements and said horses step by step in said planes, an operating circuit for saidl electrically actuated means including ball-actuated switches and a starting switch, a circuit having a coin-actuated switch therein for conditioning said operating circuit for operation, a stepup means for a movable element actuated by certain of said ball-actuated switches cooperating with the remaining switches of said operating circuit for conditioning a sprint circuit for energizing said electrically actuated advancing means independently of said operating circuit, a reset coil in said operating circuit for returning said horses to a starting position in said planes, said reset coil being in circuit with a holding switch and energized by said coin actuated switch for returning said horses to a starting position, said circuit holding switch and said rcset coil deenergized by an arm carried by each of said horses when said horses return to said starting position, and means at the finish position in said planes and coupled References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,098,406 Slezak Nov. 9, 1937 2,230,563 Garms et al. Feb. 4, 1941 2,280,000 Millar et al Apr. 14, 1942 2,526,215 Florimont Oct, 17, 1950 2,624,581 Wiser et al Jan. 6, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 572,519 Great Britain, 1---- Oct. 11, 1945 

